Weekly Devotional: Love in action (10 in Romans series)

Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality. Romans 12:9–21 (NIV)

When my husband and I were first married, we had some dear friends around for dinner. When I popped to the kitchen to grab the green beans, my husband served Steve some sparkling water. Well, he thought he was pouring sparkling water, for that’s what the bottle said, but when I walked back into the room I exclaimed, “That’s the radiator water!” Our car was old and we needed to carry water with us to top up the radiator; somehow the bottle for the car had made it to the dining-room table. Steve said with a smile, “I see you are heeding Paul’s exhortation to practice hospitality! You may need more practice!”

We all need practice at living well, don’t we (and I hasten to add that the water we served was clean, although not sparkling). Paul’s instructions in just these few verses are those we can hold close to our heart as we seek to live godly lives. He tells us to love each other, honoring our neighbors above ourselves; to serve the Lord with enthusiasm and passion; to keep our joy strong and to pray faithfully; to open our homes and share with those who are in need; to bless, rejoice, mourn, be humble, and to live peacefully with everyone.

I wonder how our cultures would change if we could implement even a small percentage of these commands. Truly the world would then know we are Christians through our love in action.

Might you choose one or two of Paul’s instructions to practice today? Perhaps, too, you might be inspired to memorize this passage.

Prayer: Lord God, you give us the resources we need to live well, including these practical instructions. May I take them to heart today, that I might live for your glory.